Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Time ❯ Realizations ( Chapter 7 )

Stealing Time

Chapter seven

Vegeta's dark irises continually glanced up at the still Grandfather clock in the corner. Even though he knew it didn't work something compelled him to stare. He had no idea what time it was but he knew school was long over and Trunks still hadn't come home. He assumed he'd be at Kakarot's house with his youngest but how long was he going to remain there? He sighed bitterly as he tried, once again, to read the last few pages of that particular story. For a second the small black print began to swirl on the worn pages. Shaking his head lightly Vegeta fidgeted in the arm chair trying to make himself comfortable. "Where is that damn boy?" He wondered aloud before going back to his book. 'Insolent child can't even show a little respect.' He blinked hard a few times to clear his head again and make the words remain still but, after having read the same sentence over three times he gave up. "This is pointless!" He slammed the book shut and dropped it in his seat after getting up from it.

Stretching his stiff bones he walked out of the room heading back to the main part of the house. On his way the dizziness he'd felt before returned. The prince stopped and rested an arm up against the wall, his other hand massaging his temples. "No, I won't let this happen again." He took in a deep shuddered breath and let it out slowly before straightening and continuing to walk. "Focus Vegeta." He coaxed himself into ignoring that buzzing in his brain until he could get to a bathroom and splash some water on his face. However, every step he took seemed to get him nowhere. The corridor was beginning to stretch before his own eyes.

"Damn thiiis." The Saiyans feet became heavier with each step and his movements slowed while his body grew tired. That buzzing at the back of his mind grew louder sounding as if he were right inside a radio speaker. He eventually collapsed from the strain, never making it to the living room.

__________

Laughter could be heard from outside the small cottage like home disturbing the quiet evening. The orange glow from the little kitchen window spread across the grass below. Placing an almost sun like spotlight on a small bed of flowers. Inside the house Goku, Goten and Trunks were sitting down to dinner. Goten telling another of his comedic stories about some event that took place in school. Goku nearly choked on a peice of bread he'd been chewing from laughing at the same time. Trunks struggled to swallow his drink for the same reason.

Things had been going so nicely that the lavender haired teen had forgotten all about Vegeta and his problems. He and Goten did their homework together while Goku prepared the dinner. It was nothing gourmet or like what Trunks himself usually made but it sufficed. The Saiyan prepared a simple salad, mashed potatoes and baked chicken. Trunks had wanted to help but Goku and Goten insisted he not. So the two boys watched T.V doing homework until the meal was ready. When it was they all washed and sat down.

"This is really good Goku, I didn't know you could cook." Trunks stated after swallowing a piece of meat.

"Well when you're living alone with a hungry kid you gotta learn." Goku falsely boasted.

"Yeah he's been watching this food channel that gives good tips and I'm not the only one eating my fill around here dad." Goten added. They all broke into a small laughter while Goku blushed a bit.

"Guess that's true."

'This is nice,' Trunks thought absently watching the father and son interact. 'Even though its just the two of them they can still enjoy each others company like a family. Why can't my dad do the same?' The teen frowned into his glass seeing his reflection in the dark red drink. 'No. I promised myself and Goten not to think about him tonight. I'm having a good time and I won't let... Vegeta ruin it. Still, I hope he's all right fending for himself.'

"Looks like we're all about done here, who wants dessert?" Goku piped up.

"Do ya have to ask." Goten was already up clearing the table. "Come on Trunks help me out."

"Okay." The lavender haired teen smiled and gladly helped his boyfriend clear the table while Goku fished out dessert from the fridge.

..........

After dessert and the dishes were done Goten and Trunks headed to Goten's room quietly giggling on their way. Trunks was placing light kisses all over Goten's neck and running his hands over any part of the younger boy that he could find and Goten wasn't going to complain. Ever since Trunks had been having his on and off blue moods the two haven't really had 'alone time' in awhile. They got into the boys room closing the door and locking it afterwards. Trunks pushed Goten against the door pressing himself as close to the raven haired boy as possible. He planted kisses on his welcoming lips and moved down to his neck then back up whispering into the others ear.

"Thanks for everything 'Ten." Immediately after that he continued his quest for skin lifting Goten's shirt and placing more wet kisses on his collar bone.

"I didn't really do anything." He responded modestly. Trunks was already whisking him towards the bed and they dropped down onto the firm mattress scooting further up until they could lie down completely.

"Sure you did, I had a great time tonight and I'm gonna make sure to thank you properly." Trunks sat up straddling over his lovers small hips, his hands busy undoing the boys belt buckle. Goten raised himself up off the bed pulling his own shirt over his head and tossing it aside. Then he reached for Trunks face and pulled it to his own giving him a deep kiss as he pulled the older teen down with him.

...........

Downstairs Goku sat on the couch watching the T.V flicking through the channels until something caught his eye. It was a newscast of the car pile up in West City earlier that day.

"Uh oh." He turned the T.V up just enough to hear it himself hoping the sound didn't travel down the hall to Goten's room.

"This afternoon in West City a strange man caused a series of car pile ups." The reporter sat behind her desk stacking papers before continuing. "Reports say it was a strange looking man flying through the air and destroying public property by blasts of light from his hands."

"Oh Vegeta." Goku groaned. He continued to watch and listen to the middle aged woman in hopes that no one had footage of the other Saiyan.

"Officers were harrassed trying to apprehend the flying man but luckily no one was injured. There's no visual footage of the alien man but spectators describe him as.." Goku turned the television off and dropped himself back against the couch.

"Vegeta, what were you thinking? If someone had recognized him there could've been trouble." The young Saiyan turned his head in the direction of the boys down the hall then back to the blank T.V screen. 'I wonder if Piccolo knows, maybe he saw something from the look out that I missed.' Standing he went for his boots at the front door slipping them on and quietly headed outside. Once he was out he took off into the air to find the namek.

...........

Upstairs the two teens were engaged in a full force kiss, tongues dancing around the others and their bodies pressed close slowly moving in a grind. "You really are the best Goten." Trunks said having broke up their kiss. He sat himself up to remove his own shirt which was still on keeping them from pressing flesh. Goten watched with a smirk on his face, satisfied that he'd finally managed to help his boyfriend, at least for awhile, forget about his troubles with-

'Vegeta,' The name suddenly popped into the boys mind along with his own fathers words. ' "Goten, I don't wanna cause any alarm but has Trunks mentioned Vegeta acting strange?.. Hopefully nothing to worry about. I just don't know if Vegeta should be alone right now." '

'Oh no I forgot. I should have told Trunks after dinner, what if Vegeta's in trouble or something. Damnit Goten.'

Just before Trunks started in on his own pants Goten grabbed the boys wrist causing him to pause. "Trunks wait." The other teen looked up, the excited eager look on his face gone completely. "I'm not that great and we can't do this right now."

"Haha." Trunks responded with a quaint laugh then noticed the serious look on his friends face. "What are you talking about Goten, I thought-"

Trunks was clearly confused so Goten sat himself up sliding from beneath the others body to explain. "I know this is the worst time possible to bring this up but its about Vegeta."

"My.. dad?"

"Earlier when you were in the bathroom my dad told me something weird was going on with him while we were in school." It pained Goten seeing the expression change on his lovers face but he went on. "I guess he got into or caused some trouble in the city then hurt himself somehow, I don't know."

"What!"

"I didn't get all the details and my dad told me not to bring it up just yet, we wanted you to have a nice dinner and then things were going so great I kinda ya know forgot."

"Goten!" Trunks grabbed his hair in frustration. "I can't believe this, is he okay now, I mean- rrgh."

Goten shrunk down against the beds headboard. "I'm really sorry T'... I wanted to tell you before but Goku said-" Goten stopped and sighed knowing it was hopeless making excuses. "Maybe you should go home and check on him."

Trunks' heart softened seeing his boyfriends saddened face. Even if keeping this from him was wrong Trunks knows he shouldn't blow up on the guy. "No its not your fault really. If Goku told you not to say anything and you were both doing it to help me out I can't be too mad at that." He moved to the top of the bed sitting beside Goten. "Don't worry o.k. I'm not mad at you it was just shocking. Vegeta's been acting weird for days now and hearing this just made me worry."

"I know if the positions were reversed I'd want you to tell me right away, you forgive me?"

"Yeah." Trunks smiled then kissed the younger teens forehead to prove his words. Both boys stood then fixing themselves and dressing.

"Let me know what's going on when you find out okay?"

"Sure I'll call you later." Trunks unlocked and opened the bedroom door. "Thanks again for dinner I needed this break more than you know and maybe we can finish this," He gestured to the bed and what they'd been previously about to do. "later."

"Deal." With a quick wave Trunks was out the door heading down the hall. Even though his back was turned to him Goten could tell his boyfriend had another familiar solemn expression on his face. "Damnit." He dropped down onto the bed lying back and placed the pillow over his head mumbling in to it.

Trunks didn't notice Goku missing but didn't really care at the time, his mind was busy on someone else. 'Please be all right, dad.'

__________

"Were you always this weak?"

"How could we not have known, he fights like a baby and cowars at anything bigger than himself."

"Hahahahaha."

"Who are you?" Trying to get a look at the dark figures around him Vegeta blinks repeatedly squinting at the bright light in his face. That same light is what shadowed the forms before him leaving nothing but silhouette. He sat up slowly a hand over his brows as a visor trying to lessen the light.

"That's not all true, guys... he's afraid of things smaller than himself too."

"Hahahaha."

The voices were so familiar but he just couldn't put a finger on it with his brain feeling completely scrambled at the moment. Looking harder at the black figures he tried to identify each one of them. One of the forms stood out more than the others. That wild palm tree like hair, the muscular physique. "K-Kakarot!"

"Uh oh guys I think he finally recognizes us." A raspy young voice spoke.

"...Trunks?" Vegeta scooted backwards across the floor as the figures began to grow in size. He assumed then that the other two must be Gohan and Goten. "Why, why are you here... what are you saying?"

"Come on Vegeta we're just stating the obvious." Gohan answered.

"Yeah," Goten added. "you know it, we know it. Everyone knows it..." The shadow loomed over him. "you're weak." That last word echoed through the Saiyans mind as the group began laughing arrogantly around him. As they continued to grow their darkness blocked out the once blinding light.

He covered his ears and scrambled to his feet. "No you're wrong! I'm the prince of Saiyans, stronger than- than all of you!"

"Don't delude yourself Vegeta it's embarrassing." Goku spoke in a harsh tone that Vegeta had never heard or would even think could come from the other man.

"But why, why would you say these things; I thought you were...-"

"What? You're friends, family? With the way you treat us you're lucky we're even still around." Trunks crossed his arms, his bitter glowing eyes glaring angrily down at his father. "Face it DAD! You don't deserve us you never did. You're just another burden we're forced to bear."

Vegeta was left speechless as the images of his friends and family faded away. The last words spoken by his own son pierced his mind sharply. "Just a burden... just a burden..." He was in the darkness again staring with eyes wide as ping pong balls at the now vacant spot each person formally stood.

You see, didn't I tell you Vegeta, you're alone and you always will be. The others they have it all and what do you have?

Unless you let us help you.

You'll never understand the truth on your own.

The nightmare ended and Vegeta remained unconscious on the floor in the hallway.

.......…

Trunks flew home as fast as his ki would take him. 'I should have come home after school, what was I thinking?' Spotting the dome shaped building he sped up more and landed roughly in the front yard stumbling on his way to the door. He yanked it open rushing inside pulling the door shut behind himself. "Dad! Dad are you in here? Are you alright?" He ran through the living room seeing no signs of him and then down the hall past the kitchen he suddenly stopped. "Father?"

Vegeta was walking slowly towards him with an expression Trunks had never seen on the mans face before. He couldn't quite describe it but Vegeta almost looked relieved to see him. "You're here." Came the Saiyans barely audible reply.

"Yeah I- I'm sorry I didn't come home, I should have but Goku and Goten insis-" Vegeta silenced him by raising a hand slowly. When he got up to the boy he continued walking straight past him, Trunks followed behind him quietly.

"You don't have to explain anything to me, you're a young man now you can do what you want."

"Huh?" The way his dad spoke was the same as always but something lingered behind his tone almost as if there were a sadness in it. "Well yeah but I still could have called and let you know I'd be out. It was really stupid of me." Trunks stared hard at his fathers back noticing his body swaying slightly as he moved and every now and then Vegeta would support himself against the wall with a hand and quickly drop it back, as if he didn't want him to know. "..Have you eaten yet. I could make you something."

"Don't bother, its late and I'm not hungry."

"But you look kinda sick maybe you should eat something anyway." They stopped walking once Vegeta got to the stairs he sat himself on the bottom step. Trunks stood a few feet away from him still watching his father closely. Goku told Goten that Vegeta had been acting strange lately and now that Trunks thought of it he's noticed some things wrong himself.

'The up and down mood changes, he hasn't been eating much lately and is constantly looking as if he'd just woke from being unconscious. What's going on with you dad?'

Don't listen to him he doesn't really care about you or what you need. Otherwise he would have been here for you sooner.

That's not true and you know it. He's your son, he loves you.

No he's an accident and now you're paying for it with his incompetance.

'Not now, I can't do this now....'

It looked as if Vegeta was trying to avoid something by the way he held his head and fidgeted on the step. Something was going on in the mans head and Trunks wanted to know what. "Father?.... father can you hear me?" He stepped closer reaching an arm out to touch the small mans shoulder but Vegeta quickly slapped the hand away.

"What!, what do you want from me?" The way Vegeta suddenly spoke it was almost as if he were talking to someone else rather than the boy standing in front of him. This caused even more concern in the teen.

"I was trying to- dad you look lost or something and I wanna know what's going on because its starting to scare me."

Coming out of the place in his head Vegeta looked a little less crazed and returned to normal. "What do you mean lost? I'm right here, or maybe you're the one that is sick because I feel fine." He stood then on shaking legs and turned heading up the stairs. Stopping halfway speaking in his usual mock tone he turned to the boy. "I'm going to bed now incase you were going to ask."

Trunks continued to follow after his father with his eyes until Vegeta was out of sight. Before Vegeta had turned around Trunks noticed something wrong with his face; small red lines scarring his skin.' What's going on with you?' He turned away from the stairs and went into the living room, taking a seat he picked up the phone from the side table and dialed. After a few short rings the other end picked up.

"Yeah?"

"Goten it's me."

"Oh hey Trunks is everything alright? I wanted to call you but thought I'd wait for you to do it first."

"That's alright and physically my dad seems fine but I don't know. Something... something's not right about him."

"How do you mean?"

"Did Goku tell you anything specific about his acting strange? Or how he hurt himself. I need to know what happened exactly while we were in school."

Goten was silent on the other line thinking the question over. "No not really, all he said was what I told you before. I don't know anything else." Hearing Trunks sigh from his end the younger boy thought it was his job to give him something more to go on. "But he did say something about Vegeta probably shouldn't be alone. I don't know exactly what that means though or how it'll help, sorry."

"Don't be." This time it was Trunks silent on the other line before he went on. "Hey is Goku around anywhere?"

"Actually no. When I went out to the kitchen after you left he wasn't in the house. No note or anything. He might be outside nearby I didn't really check, should I look?"

"No that's alright. I'll talk to him tomorrow. 'Night Goten."

"Goodnight." Both ends clicked at the same time and the lines were dead. Trunks heaved another sigh and sank back into the couch. 'I'm gonna get to the bottom of this if it kills me.'

__________

Goku left his peaceful little home unannounced and in a rush to get to his eldest sons place. It only dawned on him minutes later that a simple phone call would have been faster but why turn back now. He made it to the little town a few miles just outside of West City. All the homes in that area look lived in and full of love. Cars parked in garages, kids toys and playground equipment littered the grass. Next to his own home, alone in a remote area, Goku found this neighborhood very comforting. Glad that his son had decided to live there instead of a crammed apartment in the city.

Gohan's place, however, wasn't exactly in the area of homes filled with kids and business men or stay at home wives. There was another area of smaller complexes a few blocks away from there reserved for bachelors, college students or newlyweds. That's where Goku was headed and found himself there in no time.

"Alright the lights on so someone's inside." He landed right in front of the small home and walked up the porch to the door. Knocking lightly but loud enough to be heard. "Piccolo!... Gohan! Anybody home?" It took a minute but the door was finally opened.

"Goku?" A surprised namek greeted him.

"Sorry to bother you so late but I was worried about something and thought you might be able to help." He was let in removing his shoes at the door then followed Piccolo into the kitchen. Knowing Goku he'd be hungry and too modest to ask for anything himself.

"You know you could have just called." Piccolo remarked on their way.

"Ahahaha yea, I figured that out myself two minutes too late."

"So what's this urgent problem?" He asked going to the refrigerator and pulling out a half eaten cherry pie that was made earlier. Goku took a seat on a stool at the counter placed in the center of the humble little kitchen.

"Wow you made this yourself?" He asked as the pie along with a fork was passed to him.

Piccolo responded with a short masculine laugh. "No, Unless you call dropping it in the oven making it."

"Oh." Goku laughed himself then dug out a huge piece shoving it into his waiting mouth.

"So what's this about?" Piccolo stood on the opposite side of the counter, arms crossed waiting for Goku to finish chewing before he got an answer.

"After I left the look out this afternoon I ran into Vegeta and he was really out of whack. He was talking to himself and seemed nervous, almost hysterical. And then I found out there was a disturbance in the city not minutes ago and from what I heard on the news Vegeta was the cause of it."

"I know."

Swallowing another large bite Goku went on. "I thought you might have seen something I didn't."

"Sorry but I didn't notice what was going on until it was almost over, I only know what you do."

"That's too bad. I'm really starting to worry about the guy. He hasn't been acting normal lately and that's saying something considering what "normal" is for Vegeta." Setting the fork down into the pie pan where he'd just eaten a slice and a half Goku sighed. "I've tried talking to him about it but of course he denies and counter attacks anything I say."

"You should know by now answers don't come that easily. Not from Vegeta, not anyone."

"I guess..." Goku thought over what he'd just been told staring blankly at the counter top. "So- so you mean I should spy on him to find out what's going on?"

"You got that faster than I expected." Piccolo replied returning to Goku with a glass of water he'd gotten during the mans brain pause.

"Yeah but how am I gonna pull that off? Thanks." Accepting the drink he guzzled it down in one go.

"That you'll have to figure out for yourself but while you're at it use this opportunity to get closer to him. I'll tell the others to keep a closer eye on the Earth incase Vegeta lashes out again."

"Good idea." The Saiyan placed the glass down and stood now ready to take his leave. "Well thanks for everything. I guess Gohan's still at the hospital, huh. I could hang out if you want. Goten's with Trunks and I've got nothing else to do."

"I'll be fine." They both headed for the front door, Goku putting his shoes back on before stepping out.

"See ya around." Instead of taking the long way home this time he transmitted out in a flash.

___________

Upstairs in C.C, Vegeta had just finished drying himself from a shower and sat covered only in a towel on the edge of his bed. "Why is this happening to me, what have I done so wrong... besides all that." He spoke of times when he was once evil. "Am I truly going insane?" He stood and walked to the little mirror hanging on the wall above the dresser. His eyes still looked bloodshot, his face drained and suddenly his stomach growled in frustration of not having been satisfied that day. "If this keeps up I'm going to perish from starvation."

Just then he heard Trunks' bedroom door close from down the hall. "Hm." He remembered the words clearly from that most recent nightmare. "A burden am I?" Dropping the towel he pulled a pair of comfortable sleeping pants from the second drawer in front of him and slipped them on. The Saiyan hesitated on his way over to the bed. "Hadn't I slept enough in the last few days and look what's it done for me." He tried to make a joke of the situation.

'And the last thing I need is another hellish dream to suffer in.' Though he'd never admit, Vegeta was starting to fear these nightmares; afraid that one day he might not wake up from one or worse when he did his mind would be completely gone.

"This is ridiculous. I'll be fine." With a new found sureness he climbed into the lavish bed and lied face up pulling the blanket just above his waist. His firm muscular chest heaved up and gently fell down with a deep breath. 'Just relax and think pleasant thoughts, whatever those are, that should keep them away.' His eyes slowly closed and hours passed through the night but sleep never came.